Tooth-Colored Fillings – Green Hills, TN
Composite Resin Tooth Fillings Creating Natural Smiles
For decades, silver-colored amalgam fillings have been used to restore smiles affected by tooth decay or dental damage. While these fillings provide adequate support and protect teeth from further damage, they noticeably mar the appearance of smiles, expand and contract in response to changes in temperature, and may break away from the tooth over the course of several years. At Green Hills Dental Center, we offer an alternative solution with tooth-colored composite resin fillings. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get added protection with this restorative service.
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Patients who prefer a natural-looking smile can find a viable solution with tooth-colored fillings. Your dentist in Green Hills will choose to place a tooth-colored filling if you have a severely decayed tooth or if it has been chipped or seriously damaged. This more conservative method of treatment helps to preserve more of the natural tooth and offers a more aesthetically pleasing approach.
Instead of traditional amalgam fillings that shine the spotlight on your dental work, these natural restorative solutions blend in with the rest a patient’s smile, allowing for increased confidence when eating, talking, and smiling.
How Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Placed?
Tooth-colored fillings in Green Hills are sometimes referred to as direct fillings because they are applied directly to the surface of teeth and shaped in position. Dr. Kirby will begin by administered anesthesia to numb the area. After preparing the tooth by removing the decay portions, he will clean it thoroughly before filling it with the composite resin.
A curing light is used to harden the composite resin material once it’s in place. Because the resin material itself bonds with tooth enamel, there is less risk of the filling breaking away from teeth in the future. The strong bond between the composite resin and tooth enamel not only seals in a way that prevents reinfection, but it also strengthens and improves overall dental health.
It’s important to remember that fillings are not meant to last forever, but with proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy your natural-looking smile for many years. And because the resin can stain, it is best if you avoid dark-colored beverages or anything that can lead to staining and discoloration.
What Are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings?
While many dental practitioners continued to use amalgams due to the superior strength of the materials, the unique bond between tooth enamel and composite resin means that the restoration lasts as long if not longer than the amalgam alternative. Other benefits of composite resin fillings include:
- Seamlessly matches existing dental structures
- Easily and precisely shaped, allowing patients to retain more natural dental structure
- Saves time compared with amalgam filling placement
- Little to no dental sensitivity unlike amalgam fillings that expand and contract with dental changes
- Amalgam fillings often break away from teeth as the dental cement breaks down or decays over time, but composite resin bonds directly with the tooth reducing risk of future decay or breakage